The city Parks Department announced Thursday that officials have selected an operator to receive a 20-year lease to run a restaurant and cafe at the historic venue

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New Yorkers are another step closer to returning to Central Park's Tavern on the Green restaurant.

The city Parks Department announced Thursday that officials have selected an operator to receive a 20-year lease to run a restaurant and cafe at the historic venue.

Officials want to give the lease to the Emerald Green Group, which plans to create a locally-sourced restaurant with outdoor seating for at least 200. Katy Sparks would be the executive chef.

The deal will only be completed if union contract negotiations and other reviews are successful.

The original Tavern on the Green closed on New Year's Day in 2010. An earlier deal with Dean Poll, who operates the Loeb Boathouse restaurant along the Central Park lake, fell through when union negotiations failed.

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